Knee decisions — 2014

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability is not related to his service, and there is no evidence of a right knee or sinusitis disability. The claims for depression were also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder was granted in November 2012, and his right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent. The increased rating claim for the right knee disability remains pending.

The Veteran's right knee meniscus tear status post-surgical repair with osteophytosis is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are too numerous and severe to identify a feasible vocational goal, leading to the denial of his VR&E benefits.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and left knee, status total replacement are currently rated at the minimum levels allowed by law. The VA examiners found no evidence of severe painful motion or weakness in either knee that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hip and knee disabilities are not related to his military service, including any exposure to ionizing radiation or sports injuries during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a Travel Board hearing due to the failure of his requested hearing date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability and entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent, prior to May 25, 2010, and from August 1, 2010, for left knee post-traumatic degenerative arthritis are being addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining records from the VA Education and Vocational Rehabilitation program, scheduling a new VA examination of his left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and providing a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of his right hip and knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations, treatment records, and development of evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sexual dysfunction, lumbosacral strain, right knee strain, left knee strain, and special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's left knee disability is attributable to service and the Board finds that service connection for a left knee disability (diagnosed as patellofemoral pain syndrome) is granted. The issue of bilateral hand and finger disabilities remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disorder, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been denied as secondary to his service-connected chronic muscular back strain. The Board found no evidence of these conditions at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling him for a VA examination to determine if his left knee disability is related to his service-connected right knee condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disorder. The Veteran's current left knee disorder is found to be related to his military service, including an inservice fall. Service connection is granted for this condition. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending as there was no statement of the case issued.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability, including degenerative joint disease, is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and adjudication of service connection and increased rating claims. The TDIU rating issue will be deferred until those claims are resolved.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and right ankle disabilities, as well as his claim for an increased rating for bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination and referral to the local VAMC for dental treatment.

The Board denied service connection for low back, right knee, right hip, and right leg disabilities as not related to service.